[Sca-cooks] vinegar and verjuice

[Terry Decker]

The term "balsamic" doesn't appear until the 18th Century.  However, there 
is a reference to "that vinegar" in Abbot Donizone di Canossa's "Vita 
Mathildis" (Life of Matilda) of 1046 in a story of Grandcount Boniface di 
Canossa providing vinegar to Emperor Henry II.  The location and history of 
the estate suggest that this was balsamic vinegar.  And in 1556, a volume 
entitled "La Grassa" provides a classification of vinegars that likely 
demonstrates (I haven't verified the contents or encountered a source I 
consider authoritative) that balsamic was being produced at the time.

Bear


I’ve seen mixed messages on whether balsamic vinegar dates to period or not.


Stefan